REGION: Wildlife Day draws hundreds to plateau

Six-year-old David Bolton stood before a table nearly as tall as
he was, which gave him an up-close view of dozens of creepy
crawlies on display ---- beetles, spiders, wasps and more encased
in various vials and cages.

"Is this one alive?" David asked, his voice a mix of curiosity
and excitement.

The question was directed toward Beth Cobb, one of many
volunteers at the annual Family Wildlife Day at the Santa Rosa
Plateau Ecological Reserve's headquarters Saturday.

Cobb answered that the brown, furry, female tarantula in the
clear plastic case was very much alive, as was the bulbous black
widow spider in a glass jar.

She then launched into an explanation of exoskeletons and how
spiders grow, using various props as learning tools.

The Boltons were among the hundreds of people to stop by the
plateau for Family Wildlife Day, which aims to teach children and
visitors about their local ecosystem and get them excited about
preserving its animals and habitat, organizers said.

The reserve's headquarters and nearby trails were transformed
into a mini-zoo, with live animals such as a raccoon, an opossum, a
hawk, a bat, snakes, lizards and tortoises on display to wow the
crowd. Knowledgeable volunteers were happy to answer questions.

Nature-related arts and crafts also kept families busy. Children
worked on plaster animal footprints, made drawings out of acorns
and planted acorns in cups to take home and replant later.

A trail walk gave visitors a chance to learn about the plant and
animal life that surrounds Southwest County. A magician and
face-painting also livened up the event.

"The mission is to bring more awareness, and motivate children
to learn and care about the natural world," said Ginger Greaves,
executive director of the nonprofit Santa Rosa Plateau
Foundation.

She said giving the youths an appreciation for the plateau is
vital to its survival.

"The animals' preservation and the ecological reserve's
preservation lies in the future generations," Greaves said.

The Giovani family of Exeter, in central California, visited
relatives in the area over the weekend and drove to the plateau
Saturday for a hike. Scott Giovani, 44, said he and his three boys,
ages 7, 11 and 14, were pleasantly surprised to discover that
Family Wildlife Day was taking place.

"It's the one they use in the movies," volunteer Cindy Myers
said of the mammal. "Nobody is going to be afraid of a 2-inch
furball."

But a 2-inch furball is what she had on display Saturday, a
Mexican free-tailed bat that hung upside down in a small box. Myers
was quick to tout the animal's good side, noting that one bat can
eat 1,000 bugs in one hour.

They're a farmer's friend, Myers said.

"Without bats, we wouldn't have peaches, bananas, tequila,
avocados," she said, and the list went on and on.

Saturday marked the fourth year that Family Wildlife Day has
been held at the plateau, though it was being referred to as the
"third annual" event by many, said Nancy Backstrand, a longtime
docent who organized it.

Perhaps that is because in its first year, the event was very
small and a bit disorganized, Backstrand said. But this year, the
day boasted more displays and activities than ever, she said.

"Every year, we try to make it better," Backstrand said. "The
whole idea is to get the word out that we're here, so kids will
know about it and value it."

"And it's fun," Backstrand added. "We wouldn't do it if it
wasn't fun."